President Droupadi Murmu begins a two-day visit to Chhattisgarh today, a tour that will take her from the state capital Raipur to the tribal heartland of Bastar. Announced by the President’s Secretariat on Wednesday, the itinerary is packed with cultural, spiritual and community engagements, starting this morning in Raipur and ending tomorrow in Jagdalpur.
The visit comes at a festive moment for the state. Chhattisgarh is celebrating Nuakhai, the traditional harvest festival, while Bastar is in the middle of its distinctive Dussehra observances. The President’s presence at both gives the trip a strong cultural flavour, and officials say large public turnouts are expected at the scheduled events.
Day one in Raipur: coin release and Nuakhai events
Today’s first major engagement in Raipur will be the release of a commemorative coin in honour of Pujya Mata Hasi Devi Ji at Lok Bhavan. The coin pays tribute to the revered spiritual figure, and the ceremony is expected to draw religious leaders and local dignitaries.
Later in the day, the President will attend two programmes organised around the Nuakhai festival: the ‘Seva Samman Parv’ and the ‘Yuva Prabodhan’. The first celebrates community service and the spirit of public welfare, while the second is aimed at the youth, encouraging their participation in cultural and social life. Nuakhai itself is one of the region’s most loved festivals, marking the harvest season and holding deep significance for farming communities across Chhattisgarh.
Why the commemorative coin matters
Commemorative coins released by the President carry symbolic weight. They are issued to honour people and moments that hold a special place in public memory, and they enter the collections of numismatists and institutions across the country. Honouring Mata Hasi Devi Ji in this way underlines the spiritual roots of the region and the respect accorded to its religious traditions.
Day two in Bastar: Muriya Darbar and Bastar Dussehra
On Friday, October 23, President Murmu will travel to Jagdalpur in the Bastar region. There she will attend the Muriya Darbar, a traditional tribal assembly that forms an integral part of the local cultural calendar. The Darbar brings together tribal leaders and community members, and the President’s participation is seen as a gesture of respect for Bastar’s indigenous heritage.
She will then grace a public programme organised on the occasion of Bastar Dussehra. Unlike the Dussehra celebrated in most parts of India, Bastar Dussehra is a unique and elaborate festival rooted in the traditions of the region’s tribal communities. It spans several days, with distinctive rituals and processions that set it apart from the more widely known festivities elsewhere in the country. Her presence is expected to bring a significant boost to the local cultural landscape and highlight the rich heritage of Chhattisgarh.
Two festivals, one message
Taken together, the two days tell a clear story:
- Nuakhai in Raipur: a harvest festival celebrating agriculture, community service and youth participation.
- Bastar Dussehra in Jagdalpur: a distinctive tribal festival reflecting the region’s ancient traditions and extended rituals.
- The coin release: a mark of respect for the spiritual heritage of Chhattisgarh.
- The Muriya Darbar: recognition of tribal leadership and community institutions.
The itinerary deliberately moves from the state capital to the tribal heartland, bringing attention to Chhattisgarh’s diverse cultural and spiritual traditions in a single trip.
A word for traditional artists
Just before announcing this visit, the President struck a note on culture at the award ceremony of the 65th National Exhibition of Art in Delhi. She emphasised the need for further training, financial autonomy and greater opportunities for traditional artists, particularly those from remote rural communities, so they can showcase their work on national and international platforms.
Highlighting art forms like Sohrai, Madhubani and Gond painting, she said traditional art still thrives in its original, authentic state in cities like Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, but artists need what she called a bit of “extra seasoning” to keep pace with the times and compete confidently. The message, that heritage must be supported with skills and money, sets the tone for a visit that is itself all about celebrating tradition.
Frequently asked questions
How long is President Murmu’s Chhattisgarh visit?
It is a two-day visit, from October 22 to 23, 2026, covering Raipur and Jagdalpur.
What are the main events in Raipur today?
The release of a commemorative coin honouring Pujya Mata Hasi Devi Ji at Lok Bhavan, followed by the ‘Seva Samman Parv’ and ‘Yuva Prabodhan’ programmes for the Nuakhai festival.
What is the Muriya Darbar?
It is a traditional tribal assembly of leaders and community members in the Bastar region, forming an important part of the local cultural calendar.
How is Bastar Dussehra different from other Dussehra celebrations?
It is rooted in the traditions of Bastar’s tribal communities, with unique rituals and extended observances that span several days, quite unlike the mainstream Dussehra seen elsewhere in India.
From a coin honouring a revered spiritual figure to harvest festivities and a tribal assembly, President Murmu’s two-day Chhattisgarh tour is a full showcase of the state’s heritage. For the people of Raipur and Bastar, it will be a festival week to remember.
